Chapter 146 (End of Main Text)

With the Zhou family taking control of Zhongzhou, Xiao Cong's left flank was blocked, and his initial southward invasion was thwarted, halting his advance north of the Huai River.

The Zhou family once again used force to threaten the Xiao family, forcefully taking their place at the negotiating table.

This negotiation differs from the agreement reached between Zhou Jin and Xiao Cong at Shili Pavilion outside the capital city last time.

Behind these negotiations, the battle flags of both sides are flying.

If negotiations fail, war is inevitable.

The Zhou family's patience was exhausted over these three hundred years.

But the Xiao family was still considered the legitimate dynasty in the eyes of the people.

Furthermore, when Xiao Cong became emperor, the Yan region and the Jing region were merged into one.

With Xiao Cong's capture of Huai'an North, his strength has grown considerably.

Xiao Cong successfully turned the tide in the deadlock between the Xiao and Zhou clans.

The Xiao family was not afraid of the Zhou family.

Both sides had the confidence to overturn the table, but for some reason, it was as if the pause button had been pressed on both sides, and all attacks ceased.

The tacit choice is to prioritize negotiation.

*

Heavy snow covered the world, and this winter was colder than usual.

Li Qu hosted a banquet at Xuequan Manor, inviting young ladies from prominent families in Hezhou and the families of officials to the hot spring resort for a soak.

The first time she hosted a banquet on her own was before the end of the year, when tensions were high on the northern border.

All the prominent families believed it to have a profound meaning and responded enthusiastically.

Luxury carriages and fine horses stretched from Hezhou City to Xuequan Village.

Those who get close to Li Qu are all her relatives or ladies from top-tier families.

Only one unknown lady, Madam Huang, dressed neatly and plainly, sat in the main room with the daughters of noble ladies of higher status and position.

Li Qu was speaking with everyone, while Qiao Dasao, the second wife, was keeping the atmosphere lively, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Suddenly, the sound of girls arguing came from inside.

“I will learn to distinguish beans and wheat, and to sort silk and hemp, so that I can manage household affairs in the future. No matter how skilled you are at riding horses and riding the wind, your husband’s family will not look favorably upon you. This is not the way of a woman.”

Li Han: "Sister is short-sighted. Learning a skill is like opening a window; only by seeing far can you avoid being locked in a dark room! It's for yourself, not for your husband's family."

"Women who learn skills should ultimately serve as 'proper women,' upholding the virtues of womanhood and managing domestic affairs. You disregard the precepts and virtues for women, instead indulging in philosophical discussions about horsemanship, putting the cart before the horse."

"My sister is like a frog in a well, unable to comprehend the vast ocean."

"If I'm wrong, do you dare to refute me?"

Li Han finally found an opportunity to reveal the task her third sister had given her.

“If women learn skills only to serve their husbands with proper conduct, why would my third sister defend women at the Qingtan Conference?”

Since Li Qu was involved, it was an extremely sensitive matter. Immediately, a nanny stepped in and, regardless of which child was arguing, covered their mouths and took them both out.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Li Qu smiled and said, "Today is a day for lighthearted conversation. Why don't you ladies come forward so I can get to know you?"

Sister-in-law Qiao immediately chimed in, "My niece is a good student and loves to read. Why don't you call her over to take a look?"

What is Li Qu looking at these noble ladies for?

The independence of the South is a foregone conclusion.

Could it be that this is to select suitable women for the Third Prince when he ascends the throne and expands his harem?

The crowd was puzzled.

However, the opportunity to appear before the future empress is not to be missed.

"Today, my daughter wishes to admire the demeanor of the Third Madam."

Some clever people have already taken the initiative to go into the hall and bow down.

"Bai's daughter-in-law pays her respects to the Third Madam. May the Third Madam enjoy boundless blessings."

Sister-in-law Qiao gave her nieces meaningful glances.

The Qiao girls immediately stepped forward.

The matter in Qizhou has been settled, and Sister-in-law Qiao's only son, Zhou Yeqiong, has been transferred to Yangping.

Yangping is located in the heart of the south. Although he is still a soldier, his life is not in danger.

She is a staunch supporter of Li Qu.

Now, no matter what Li Qu's reasons are, she supports him.

The six women sat down in two rows, and Madam Gong began to speak with a smile.

"I have always heard that noble ladies are learned and knowledgeable. Now that I have two arguments, I would like to ask the noble ladies to speak."

"Firstly..."

Li Quhezhou was hosting a banquet at the same time.

Standing on the north bank of the Huai River, Xiao Cong gazed one last time in the direction where she was, on the northern soil closest to her.

Chen Gao stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, it's time to return north."

"It's too late, and we might miss the appointed time for the coronation."

Xiao Zuo brought him the horses.

Xiao Cong stood there for a while, and before Chen Gao could speak again, he took a step back, walked to the horse, grabbed the saddle, mounted the horse, flicked his cloak, sat down, picked up the reins, turned the horse around, and whipped it away.

He said he wanted to see the Huai River, but what's so interesting about the Huai River?

Xiao Zuo sighed and rode his horse to follow on either side.

As a servant who had witnessed his master's past with the Third Miss, he simply couldn't accept his master's current lonely and desolate state.

The burly man's eyes were blinded by the wind and snow.

He felt sad; how much more painful it must be for His Highness.

Xiao Cong's voice came through the wind and snow: "Send a letter to Zhongzhou and arrange a meeting with Master Zhou."

Chen Gao, with his men surrounding him, stepped forward and said, "After Your Highness ascends the throne, it will be more advantageous to negotiate with the Zhou family."

Xiao Cong reined in his horse and looked at the people in the distance, their families traveling through the wind and snow.

The people were afraid of war, especially those living on both sides of the Huai River. Some went south to seek refuge with relatives, while others went north to seek refuge with relatives.

I fear that one day war will break out, and our families will be separated by the two sides of the strait and never be able to see each other again.

Xiao Cong: "Let the people have a peaceful New Year. The Imperial Observatory can choose an auspicious day later."

Having said that, he spurred his horse and rode forward.

Chen Gao followed, and said with satisfaction, "Your Highness is kind and benevolent."

*

On the second day of the twelfth month, Zhou Jin and Xiao Cong met in Luyi.

The pavilion, exposed to the cold sun and drafts from all sides, was only visited by the two men accompanied by their personal guards. Behind them were their trusted advisors and guards, all on high alert.

Zhou Jin wore an eye-catching sachet.

The sachet is embroidered with a pair of red naphthalene fruits nestled together.

He even specially chose a dark-colored outfit, which made the sachet stand out even more.

When he arrived, Xiao Cong was brewing tea in the pavilion.

Zhou Jin stood in front of the table, hesitating to sit down.

Xiao Cong poured the tea and pushed a cup to Zhou Jin: "I've seen it, stop showing off."

Zhou Jin casually flicked the sachet at his waist, startling Xiao Zuo behind Xiao Cong, who was on edge, fearing a sudden sneak attack from Zhou Jin.

The flamboyant red dress swayed twice at his waist as Zhou Jin lifted his robe and sat down.

"The young master possessed an innate nobility. He personally brewed tea with impeccable manners, leaving me mesmerized. He showed no intention of showing off the sachet that my wife had embroidered herself."

Xiao Cong picked up a cup of tea.

The tea was fragrant, but no flower petals were added.

Xiao Cong held the teacup in his hand to warm it, then looked up at the old man opposite him.

"From now on, the Huai River will be the boundary, and we will not interfere with each other."

Zhou Jin: "Fengxiang Prefecture belongs to Zhou."

“Fengxiang Prefecture is north of the Huai River,” Xiao Cong said calmly. “It belongs to me.”

"Including Zhongzhou."

Zhou Jin: "He who breaks his promise will gain wealth. The Prince of Yan did not say that at the pavilion ten miles outside the capital."

"Uncle Shi also broke his promise and caused trouble in Fengxiang Prefecture."

They're all two-faced idiots.

What truly determines who has the final say is the power they wield.

Both sides are capable of fighting, but the people are most afraid of chaos in the world.

"On the day of my ascension to the throne, I will proclaim to the world that three hundred years ago, the Xiao and Zhou families fought together to establish the world, agreeing to divide it into two parts, with the Huai River as the boundary, Xiao to the north and Zhou to the south."

Zhou Jin pointed out: "The Yellow River serves as the boundary."

Xiao Cong: "Uncle, the Zhou family lost three hundred years ago. The victor is king and the loser is a bandit."

"Now, the Zhou family is endangering my Xiao family, and the same reason applies."

"If the Zhou family wants to establish themselves legitimately, they should use the Huai River as the boundary; otherwise, war is not out of the question."

He shifted his gaze to the outside of the pavilion: "The world, after a long period of unity, will inevitably divide; after a long period of division, it will inevitably unite."

Xiao Cong understood it very well.

The time has come for the world to be divided.

“We have lost the Huai River south to Zhou, and Zhou has lost the Yellow River south to the Huai River north to us. Let’s each take a step back.”

"Otherwise, if we fight each other and both end up hurting each other, harming the people and benefiting others, wouldn't that be a laughing stock?"

Given the current strength of both sides, no one can predict what will happen after the war begins.

The two were surrounded by many prominent families.

The surname Xiao has never been fixed in the North, nor has the surname Zhou in the South.

Xiao Cong has made his point perfectly clear.

This saved Zhou Jin a lot of trouble.

Zhou Jin: "What evidence does Your Highness have?"

Xiao Cong put down his cup: "Given her soft heart, she doesn't want things to get chaotic."

Zhou Jin raised his hand and splashed tea at him.

Xiao Cong dodged in time and was not defiled.

Xiao Zuo and Huai Qiu were already facing each other with their weapons.

The two sides outside the pavilion were also on the verge of drawing their swords.

Xiao Cong flicked the hem of his robe: "Uncle, you have a terrible temper."

What exactly does his sweetheart see in him?!

Zhou Jin placed the cup in his hand on the table, his hand still holding the cup: "As Your Highness said, let's each take a step back and use the Huai River as the boundary."

Huaiqiu took out a sheepskin map from his bosom.

Seeing this, Xiao Zuo slowly put away his weapon.

Huaiqiu also puts away his utensils.

Then the pavilion returned to calm.

The stone bench where Xiao Cong was sitting was stained with tea and could no longer be used.

He simply moved to the side, turned to face Zhou Jin, and moved out of the attack range of the cup in Zhou Jin's hand.

Zhou Jin rested his arm on the stone table.

Xiao Zuo stepped forward, took the sheepskin map, opened it, checked it to be correct, and then presented it to Xiao Cong with both hands.

Xiao Cong glanced at the red dividing line between North and South on the map.

The Qinling-Huaihe line clearly divides the north and south.

"Can Uncle Shi carry the Zhou Emperor's seal?"

After Xiao Cong finished speaking, Xiao Zuo placed the map on the table and took out the alliance treaty he had already prepared from his pocket.

Huaiqiu stepped forward, took it, checked it and spread it on the stone table.

Zhou Jin lowered his eyes to read.

They all came prepared and knew what the other wanted.

Zhou Jin and Xiao Cong reached an agreement on the direction of the peace talks within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The specific concessions to be made by both sides will be discussed by their respective think tanks.

*

The agreement was reached by the fifth day of the twelfth month, and Xiao Cong embarked on his journey back to the capital.

On December 17, Xiao Cong arrived in the capital, affixed his seal to the alliance agreement between the two sides, and dispatched a trusted confidant to take the agreement to Fengxiang Prefecture.

On December 26th, the Yanbei cavalry entered Fengxiang Prefecture along with the alliance agreement.

Zhou Lang received the treaty and withdrew from Fengxiang Prefecture as agreed.

On the same day, a hawk flew to deliver a message to the Central Plains.

On New Year's Eve, Zhou Jin received a personal letter from Zhou Lang informing him of his withdrawal from Zhongzhou.

On the first day of the following year, Xiao Cong ascended the throne by imperial decree, succeeding to the throne of the Northern Xiao dynasty.

It proclaimed to the world that it acknowledged the old treaty that divided the world between the Xiao and Zhou families.

At the same time, a general amnesty was granted, and an imperial edict was issued to appoint his first wife, Lady Lin, as empress and his eldest son as crown prince.

The reign title was changed to Taining, signifying national prosperity and peace.

From then on, the Xiao family's derailed empire returned to normal.

On the same day, the Southern Zhou Dynasty was established, Zhou Jin proclaimed himself emperor, and set up his capital at Jianye.

In the first year of his reign, he issued an edict to make his first wife, Lady Li, empress, and his eldest son, Zhou Xi, crown prince.

A general amnesty was granted.

From then on, the Zhou family fulfilled their long-cherished wish and rightfully established themselves as independent.

*

The division of power between the North and South was uneventful and no war broke out.

The happiest people are the simple folks who only care about whether there will be a war and whether they will lose their lives.

It doesn't matter who becomes emperor; being alive is enough.

*

Li Qu received the imperial edict appointing her as empress on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

On this day, martial law was imposed throughout Hezhou.

The officials of all ranks from Hezhou, the heads of various families in Hezhou, and members of the Zhou clan, who came to welcome Zhou Jin back, and the common people lining the road stretched from the gate of the Zhou residence all the way to a place far outside the city.

When the Zhou family banner appeared in the sight of the city gate guards amidst the smoke and dust, the sound of drums rang out from the city gate.

The sound of horses' hooves, accompanied by the roar of cheers welcoming the emperor's return, echoed from outside the city to inside.

Li Qu stood in the spot where the old lady had greeted Zhou Lang, and now she greeted Zhou Jin.

Gradually, the sounds of "Welcome back the Emperor" transformed into the more solemn, dignified, uniform, and formal "Welcome the Holy Warrior."

The sound of horses' hooves gradually became clearer, and the waves of people on both sides of Chaoyang Street knelt down one by one.

With each kneel, a voice rang out, "Welcome, Holy Warrior!"

Li Qu's vision caught sight of that handsome and dashing figure on horseback.

She smiled and congratulated him on his successful completion of the mission.

He was led by guards, who then dispersed to both sides at the gate of the Zhou residence.

The Zhou family and the highest-ranking officials of Hezhou bowed down and shouted, "Welcome, Holy Warrior!"

Li Qu stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Welcome, Holy Warrior."

The female members of the family followed behind Li Qu and bowed.

Zhou Jin rode forward, dismounted, strode forward, lifted Li Qu with both hands, and placed the edict establishing her as empress, which he had been holding all the way, into Li Qu's hands.

'I will make sure no one in this world dares to offend you again.'

He did it.

The master of ceremonies read aloud the contents of the imperial edict: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, having established the order of Heaven and Earth, must rectify the rites of the inner palace..."

He opened his palm and said, "Aqu, happy birthday."

Today is Li Qu's eighteenth birthday.

Li Qu's gaze shifted from his travel-worn stubble to his palm.

A gold-inlaid jade hairpin depicting a phoenix spreading its wings.

She likes gold inlaid with jade.

The imperial edict was quite long, and the official in charge of rites was still reading it aloud.

Everyone knelt down and listened attentively.

He was the only one interrupting.

"There's a lot to clean up in the North."

"Thankfully, Dad has taken over now."

"I didn't get to eat the 'jiao'er' (a type of dumpling) made by Aqu herself, and I also missed the New Year's fireworks, but I can't miss Aqu's birthday."

"This time I'm here to take you and Mother to Jianye. From now on, we'll..."

Zhou Jin noticed warm tears falling from his palm and quickly looked down to ask, "What's wrong?"

Even after becoming emperor and changing his status, he was still the heartless Jinlang.

"The eldest son, Zhou Xi, is of noble birth and capable of carrying on the family line. He is hereby established as the Crown Prince to ensure the continuation of the imperial line for ten thousand years."

After the master of ceremonies finished chanting, Li Qu wiped away her tears and bowed in gratitude according to custom.

Zhou Jin frowned, finding these formalities annoying for the first time.

After completing all the necessary procedures for his return journey, Zhou Jin returned to Fanghua Garden at the beginning of Hai hour.

As soon as Zhou Jin finished washing up and entered the room, a delicate hand reached out from inside and grabbed his clothes, pulling him into the room.

The door slammed shut with a bang as the woman moved about, accompanied by the cheerful jingling of the bells on her body.

The room was dimly lit, and the woman wore silver bells on her ankles and a seductive nightgown that was barely concealed.

She pinned him against the door, her body pressed against his, and asked earnestly:

"Jinlang, I've hidden a gift. Do you want it?"

Zhou Jin turned the tables and took control: "Could we look at the gifts tomorrow?"

His gaze fell on the mountain peaks that were half-hidden by thin clouds.

Li Qu tiptoed and kissed his lips, her jade fingers gripping his wrist.

She moved her lips to his ear, a ticklish, almost imperceptible touch, and said, "Are you sure you want it tomorrow?"

Fingertips... push aside the undulating skirt.

She was naked... seducing him.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Zhou Jin grabbed her chin and kissed her.

Lips and teeth pried open the shell, and the roar of passion stirred the mountains and seas.

Li Qunian, surely you'll have a chance to give birth to a daughter tonight~